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All three Valencia County football teams went on the road last week, and Belen, Los Lunas and Valencia each brought home a victory.
It will be another busy Friday night, with the Eagles, Tigers and Jaguars hosting games, including homecoming at BHS.
Belen Eagles
It seemed there was almost as much a sense of relief as there was a feeling of joy after Belen (1-2, 1-0) nailed down a 31-20 victory last Thursday against Valley (0-3, 0-1) at Milne Stadium.
Feelings were raw for the Eagles after two close losses and no doubt the pressure was mounting.
“It’s been a rough time,” conceded Kevin Peña, Belen head coach. “We’re taking a lot of criticism as a staff, but you win as a team, and you lose as a team.”
There was also pressure to have a good, clean game, which the two teams provided. One year ago, Belen and Valley players were involved in a melee on the field, leading to a first strike under New Mexico Activities Association’s new “Two Strike” policy.
“We came out with class,” said BHS running back Jasode Harris. “Congrats to the other team for not talking (trash).”
In the rematch, the Eagles and Vikings were tied at 13-13 at the half, with the teams’ alternating touchdowns, including an 81-yard run by Harris.
“When I had the ball in my hands, I just knew I was going to score,” Harris said about the second quarter touchdown.
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In the third quarter, Belen was set to punt on fourth down and six at Valley’s 40-yard line, but Peña called a timeout to reconsider the decision.
“The coaches up top (in the press box) said, ‘Let’s go for it,’” Peña explained. “Sometimes you listen to them.”
It turned out to be the right call. Elijah Schaffino broke free down the left side on a 40-yard scamper. The extra point snap was bobbled, leaving the score at 19-13.
“It was just a good team play. Everybody blocked for me, and I did my thing,” Schaffino said.
Valley took the lead early in the fourth quarter, but the Eagles did what Peña had been imploring them to do — finish games.
Logan Gonzalez hauled in a 21-yard touchdown pass from Ethan Thomas and Schaffino added another score to seal the eleven-point victory.
With the district 5-5A opener in the win column, BHS heads into homecoming with renewed confidence for Friday’s 7 p.m. meeting with Del Norte (0-4, 0-1).
“We’re a good team. We’re very talented,” Schaffino said, with his teammates celebrating nearby. “We just proved it right here.”
Los Lunas Tigers
It was all a little strange, according to Greg Henington, Los Lunas head football coach.
“The first district game, in September, on a Thursday night,” Henington said, referring to the expanded district schedule and the infrequent Thursday game.
“The only thing that matters is you win,” Henington said.
Which is just what the Tigers (2-1, 1-0) did at Wilson Stadium, 14-6 over Eldorado (2-1, 0-1) in the district 2-6A opener.
LLHS began the scoring in the second quarter on a screen pass that Robert Pino took 40-yards. Los Lunas led 7-6 at the half.
A long, time-consuming Los Lunas drive in the fourth quarter ended with a blocked field goal, but the Tigers got a bit of cushion late in the game when Kaiden Reese hit J’den Howard on a scoring strike. “Clutch” is how Henington described the final touchdown and praised the defense for coming up big all game.
Up next is a home contest at 7 p.m. Friday against West Mesa (2-1,0-0), which lost 35-7 to Volcano Vista. Henington calls the Mustangs, “very talented and very athletic,“ adding, “We know that if we click correctly,” meaning both offense and defense working in sync, “we can be pretty darn good.”
Valencia Jaguars
Michael Storms rushed for four touchdowns Friday and Valencia shutout Cuba (0-3) 56-0 on the road.
“I was happy we got the job done and got out with no injuries, for both teams,” said LeDarrius Cage, VHS head coach.
The Jaguars (3-1) dominated the outmanned Rams almost exclusively on the ground, while controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
Aiden Gonzalez, senior and defensive end, roughed up the Rams with three tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery for a touchdown.
“We sacked the quarterback, and he dropped the ball. Aiden jumped on it for the touchdown,” said Cage.
Dalton Muzzy and Cade Ash added touchdowns for VHS, while Storms also converted five two-point conversations.
Immediately after the win, Valencia turned its attention to Silver, which visits 7 p.m., Friday, at VHS.
“Last year against Silver, I thought we played well,” Cage recalled of the 50-28 road loss, which saw the Fighting Colts pull away in the second half.
After watching game film of Silver (2-2) from this season, Cage is optimistic.
“I think we have a great chance of jumping out on these dudes; hopefully, securing a win for the first district game of the season.”
